Marriage Proclamation is a formal announcement of an upcoming marriage. Banns, which is a five-letter word, is the public announcement of an intended marriage in a Christian church. It is usually read out loud during a church service and is intended to give anyone who knows of a reason why the couple should not marry the opportunity to come forward. VOW, which is a three-letter word, is a solemn promise made by a couple during a wedding ceremony. It is a declaration of commitment to each other and to the marriage.